Ruotong Shen was born with hip dysplasia and misalignment that caused much of her childhood to be spent at different rehabilitation centers and hospitals throughout China. She would spend early mornings in treatment and then rush to make it to school on time. While those years were tormenting for Ruotong, she considers them an empowering experience, reflecting, “As I look back on that experience now, I have even more gratitude. [It] allowed me to have endurance and a firm heart far beyond my peers.” She has used that positivity and strength to adapt easily to new situations, including pursuing education through American online school.
Because of multiple hip surgeries and reoccuring pain, Ruotong knew virtual high school would be her best option. She chose ASU Prep Digital because of their great reputation for flexible but rigorous online college-preparatory courses. She appreciated the program’s strong relationship with Arizona State University and trusted ASU’s established online programming.
Thriving with ASU Prep Digital
Ruotong explains that managing her classes was “an easy task, as long as you make a list of what you need to learn every week.” With her checklist ready, she was able to organize assignments for each of her classes, including leadership, English, and biology. In leadership class, for example, she might watch a video and then complete an essay. She could check that box “done” and move on to her next to-do item.
With her own health history, it’s no surprise that Ruotong has an interest in medical science. For this reason, she found her Forensic Science class especially interesting. A particularly engaging assignment simulated the forensic analysis of the death process, which made Ruotong feel as though she was personally on the scene, making the online learning experience truly interactive and inspiring.
When it comes to the online school experience, Ruotong appreciates the collaborative online learning environment ASU Prep Digital provides, where curiosity and creativity is encouraged, as well as discussion and collaboration with peers.
Building relationships with teachers is also possible in an online learning environment. Ruotong, who goes by “Mandy” at American school, left a positive impression on her teachers, who said, “It was a pleasure to have her in my course,” “Always prompt with work and willing to go above and beyond,” and “Very hard working, polite, and all around great kiddo.” Her Mandarin teacher complimented Mandy saying, “She actively participated in class and consistently produced exceptional projects that showcased her language skills and deep understanding of Chinese culture.”
Benefits of ASU Prep Digital
Ruotong recognizes the many benefits of ASU Prep Digital, pointing out how accommodating the program is, explaining that “students can avoid the time and space constraints of traditional teaching models.” In her case, this means taking online American classes from the comfort of her home in China. She’s able to manage her time, working where and when she’s most comfortable, avoiding the physical pains she’d endure in a traditional in-person school.
She goes on to add that the program can work well for both introverted and extroverted students, allowing students to get involved as much as they feel comfortable. “I would definitely recommend ASU Prep Digital to my friends or classmates,” says Ruotong of her successful experience.
If you are interested in ASU Prep Digital, please join us for an online info session where you’ll have the chance to ask questions and learn about all the exciting opportunities at ASU Prep Digital.
